Original article by Judith Sloan
The Australian – Page: 11 : 21-Apr-26

Even if there is an early resolution to the Iran war, which looks unlikely, there will be a hit to Australia’s economic growth rate with headline inflation increasing. Treasurer Jim Chalmers is essentially an anti-economist who is trying to transform the Australian economy from Canberra. He distrusts markets and thinks government intervention and spending can produce superior outcomes. Without a coherent economic framework, Chalmers’ response to war-induced economic difficulties is likely to be ill-advised and ineffective. His instinct will be to ditch any budget plans for real savings and to pour money into pump-priming the economy through more handouts. The minor tax reforms in the budget will be piecemeal and designed to shift attention away from the loose fiscal settings.

CORPORATES
AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF THE TREASURY